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Oxycodone prolonged release: a guide to its use in the EU

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Abstract

Oxycodone prolonged-release (PR) tablets provide a convenient twice-daily oral opioid option for the treatment of chronic pain, including cancer-related pain. Its analgesic efficacy in these settings has been established in clinical trials and extensive clinical practice and appears to be generally similar to that of oxycodone immediate release (IR) and long-acting oral formulations of other opioids. Oxycodone PR has a tolerability profile consistent with that of other opioids and is associated with less ‘drug liking’ and lower ‘drug highs’ than oxycodone IR when taken appropriately (i.e. as intact tablets, not crushed).

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Acknowledgments

The review was reviewed by: B. Claus, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium; M. Hahn, Vitos Rheingau, Eltville, Germany; E. Obarcanin, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany. During the peer review process, Tecnimede (a manufacturer of oxycodone PR) was also offered an opportunity to review this article. Changes resulting from comments received were made on the basis of scientific and editorial merit.

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  1. Springer, Private Bag 65901, Mairangi Bay, 0754, Auckland, New Zealand

    Emma D. Deeks & Katherine A. Lyseng-Williamson

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  1. Emma D. Deeks
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  2. Katherine A. Lyseng-Williamson
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Correspondence to Katherine A. Lyseng-Williamson.

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The preparation of this review was not supported by any external funding.

Conflict of interest

E.D. Deeks and K.A. Lyseng-Williamson are salaried employees of Adis/Springer, are responsible for the article content and declare no conflicts of interest.

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Deeks, E.D., Lyseng-Williamson, K.A. Oxycodone prolonged release: a guide to its use in the EU. Drugs Ther Perspect 32, 363–368 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40267-016-0326-1

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